Stress is part of life. No matter how calm and relaxed we try to be, it will find a way to creep in. It’s normal and expected. However, in order for us to live a full life, we must have a mechanism in place to relieve stress. And while there are special diets and medicine we can take, the most effective method for stress reduction might be something we have not considered. Yoga for stress reduction is very effective. Keep reading to find out why.
Why Yoga is so Effective at Reducing Stress
Different Focus. While other forms of exercise focus on muscle building, yoga puts the focus on well begin and focus. Most routines consists of a series of movements designed to improve flexibility and align the body. They will also incorporate breathing and meditation to address the spiritual aspects of an individual. The end result is peace, serenity and flexibility. You will be better able to face life’s challenges and circumstances. All of these work to produce a stress free lifestyle, and they start working right away.
Lowers Cortisol. Under normal operating conditions, your brain produces cortisol to allow you to deal with certain circumstances. The more intense the circumstance, the more cortisol is released into the blood stream. To reduce stress, it must be lowered. This is where yoga comes into play. Certain poses flush the blood stream with oxygen which inhibits the production of cortisol. This keeps stress levels at bay. it also helps other parts of your body feel fantastic and refreshed.
Inner Strength. Through meditation, breathing and various poses, yoga is able to help in many ways. It improves flexibility, promotes a sound mind and gives you more focus. All of these work together to produce inner strength. This is another reason yoga for stress is so effective.
You have to understand, yoga is transformational. Through consistent use you will find yourself becoming stronger and better able to handle difficult situations. Things that used to bother you or send you into a tailspin will have lees of an impact on you because your whole self is stronger; not juts your physical self.
It is akin to throwing a log on a fire. If you toss it on a small campfire, the fire will be extinguished as the log is too much for the fire. However, if you toss that same log onto a bonfire it will be totally consumed. now think of stress as the log and you are starting to get the idea. Yoga for stress is effective because it works two ways. On the one hand it works to decrease stress by reducing it. On the other, it reduces stress by increasing your ability to deal with it.
You will be hard pressed to find anything to fight stress on two fronts the way yoga does. It’s why people have been using it for thousands of years to find peace and get centered. That’s why it remains so popular today. If you have been frustrated looking for a way to reduce stress, a good yoga routine involving the Sun pose may be just the answer.
